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Technobeasts were characterized by an infection from the nanogene spore, a technovirus capable of transmuting living tissue into metallic parts.[2] Consisting of microscopic nanogene droids,[4] the technovirus instinctively moved towards the brain of the victim, lobotomizing their frontal lobe and rendering them incapable of higher thought. By this point, the subject's transformation into a Sithspawn hybrid was irreversible. Before the lobotomy took place, however, it was possible to halt the transformation through the power of the Force,[2] or by purging the nanogene droids with intense heat.[3] While they were initially deemed intelligent beings,[5] technobeasts with long-term exposure to the nanogene spore would undergo severe mental degradation, limiting their motor functions and reducing the creatures to clumsy, shambling automata.[3]

Once fully transformed, most remnants of living tissue on the creatures would have rotted away, leaving only small strands of skin and sinew surrounded by metallic scraps, rods and wires. The transformation also deteriorated the victim's vocal cords, rendering the technobeasts incapable of speech.[3] Due to the innately experimental nature of the nanogene spore, the manner in which the subjects were transformed had varying results, making all technobeasts unique. Some of the creatures possessed zigzags of scarred tissue caused by the virus building upon its own metallic chunks. In other cases, victims ended up with multiple heads or crab-like pincers.[2]

Designed primarily for destruction, most humanoid technobeasts had their arms replaced with skewers or saws,[2] while others were known to have jagged blades extending from their elbows. Larger technobeast variants—specifically those created from rancors and banthas—were forged into war machines. In particular, the mutated rancors brandished a very large claw that resembled a club, though they were also known to bite their foes when given the opportunity. Along with the transformed banthas, the rancors bore spiked armor plating to replace their hides, in addition to having blaster cannons fused to their shoulders.[3]

Infested with the nanogene spore, technobeasts were able to infect other living organisms with the virus, potentially transforming additional victims into the creatures themselves.[4] The humanoid variants were capable of dispersing clouds of the technovirus from their mouths. In combat, the creatures became enraged while attacking their foes, relentlessly swarming against them in large numbers. Despite their aggressive nature, the technobeasts attacked in a slow, cumbersome manner. In addition, the creatures were vulnerable to heavy blasts of energy from the Force, as well as Sith lightning and lightsaber strikes.[3]

"It is believed that through their bizarre alchemies, the Sith somehow stumbled upon the ability to manipulate mechanicals of complex nature through the Force: ships, computers, and, indeed, even droids."

The technobeasts of Belia Darzu were used against the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order,[8] becoming recognized as the signature horror of a two-decade conflict known as the Sictis Wars.[2] In combat, the mutated hybrids were known to infect other living beings with the nanogene virus, assimilating Darzu's fallen enemies into her cyborg army.[4] On one occasion, however, a Jedi Knight prevented the virus from fully transforming him into a Sithspawn mutant, preserving his identity and becoming known as the "technobeast Jedi".[5] By the end of the Sictis Wars in 1230 BBY,[2] the production of new technobeasts came to a halt after Darzu was assassinated,[3][2] sabotaging her army.[4] Despite this, subsequent Sith Lords continued to utilize the creatures, though in smaller numbers than before. The use of technobeasts ended when the Sith were defeated at the Ruusan campaign in 1000 BBY.[2][8]

Protected by his orbalisk armor, Darth Bane destroyed a horde of technobeasts on the planet Tython.

Over two centuries after the fall of Lord Darzu, some of her technobeasts remained active inside her stronghold on Tython. Years of disuse had left them in a dilapidated, rusted state, causing some of their weapons to malfunction. In addition, the creatures became mentally and physically debilitated by the long-term effects of the nanogene spore. Drawn towards the dark side energy radiating from the holocron of Belia Darzu, the surviving technobeasts congregated around the device within the inner sanctum of the Tython fortress.[3]

In 990 BBY, a Sith Lord known as Darth Bane encountered the technobeasts on Tython while seeking the holocron of Belia Darzu. When Bane attempted to seize the device, the horde of mutated cyborgs immediately attacked him in waves. Despite their efforts to kill the Sith Lord, the creatures were unable to penetrate the defences of his orbalisk armor. At various points throughout the skirmish, the technobeasts infected Bane with the nanogene spore, spewing clouds of the virus in his vicinity. Nonetheless, the orbalisk parasites on Bane's armor were able to purge the virus from his body, preventing the transformation. Despite their persistent attacks, the technobeasts inside the fortress were ultimately destroyed at the hands of Bane.[3]